Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts

Transcript

"When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, 'Child, your sins are forgiven.'"

Welcome back to Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts. It's January 16th, 2026, Friday in the First Week in Ordinary Time. Today we are joined by Peta Evans, a wife and mother and the founder of Esencia Life Centre, a pregnancy resource center in Albury, Australia.

The Gospel of Mark 2:1-12. "When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, 'Child, your sins are forgiven.'" As we reflect on this Gospel, we can imagine the scene where Jesus is within a house packed to overflowing, with many more crowded around the doors, hopeful that they may reach Jesus. You know that you are desperately in need of the healing touch of Christ, but you are paralyzed by sin, addiction to pleasures that just keep you in a perpetual cycle of desire, satisfaction, regret, discontent, disgust and discouragement. You might hear protector parts say, what's the point? I'll just do it again. Or, do I really want to be healed? Do I really want to live without this pleasure? Or the pain is too great? I have to numb it with something. I want Christ, but is he enough? And you, little exile, you might feel the shame of all your experiences. The belief that you are a failure, unlovable, broken. Thankfully, you are not alone. You are part of the body of Christ. You can visualize Christ in the center of the room, as he is the center of your heart and innermost self.

As he looks upwards, he smiles to see the ingenuity and the faith of the friends who have come to let you down through the roof. The paralytic is not alone, and neither are you. Who are your friends holding each corner of the stretcher as they lower it down before our Lord? On one corner may be the other parts of you who have experienced healing and unburdening, and are helping and encouraging you to move closer to Christ. On another corner may be the Church Militant, the people in your life who surround you with love and support. This may be your family, friends, therapist, or counselor who have their eyes on Christ as the ultimate healer. On the third corner are the Church Suffering, those who have died who are yet to see the fullness of the Beatific Vision, but are united to you in prayer and suffering. And finally, your friends from the Church Triumphant, all the angels and saints of heaven, and in particular, your heavenly mother Mary, with God your father. It takes great courage to trust and have faith that you are worth healing. Our Lord wants you. He wants all of you. Exalt, weary, fearful parts. Rely on the strength and faith of those intercessions. Rely on the faith of those intercessors that can lower you down before the Lord, and experience the freedom that comes with the words, "Your sins are forgiven. Rise, pick up your mat, and walk."

For further reading on the topic of God the Father and the Blessed Virgin Mary as your primary parents, check out the article linked in the description of today's show.

Let us end with our invocations. Our Lady, our Mother, Untier of Knots, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.